Air India decides to 'voluntarily' run pre-flight checks on its fleet: CEO Campbell Wilson
Campbell Wilson message came as the operator is slowly trying to achieve normalcy in operation after the crash of its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad last week.
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Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Air India CEO reacts to online backlash over 'lack of visibility' at crew's funerals after Ahmedabad plane crash
Air India CEO and managing director Campbell Wilson on Friday issued clarification on "lack of visibility of" the airline at the services held for the colleagues deceased in the Ahmedabad plane crash, saying that senior representatives were present for each and every one. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the airline has voluntarily decided to continue conducting "additional pre-flight checks" for the time.(Reuters) The CEO's statement comes against the backdrop of the recent crash of Air India AI171 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, which claimed the lives of 270 people. Families of the victims, whose bodies have been handed over following DNA identification, have been holding final services for their loved ones. In an official communication, the CEO said, "You may have read social media commentary on Air India's perceived lack of visibility at the services held for our colleagues. I can assure you that we have had senior representation at each and every one. We are, however, taking care that our presence does not cause disruption at a time so important for families and loved ones, as a matter of respect." ALSO READ | Air India's heartfelt tribute to pilot Clive Kunder: 'A young aviator full of promise' The Air India CEO also assured of continued transparency and support to both its employees and customers, saying that the airline, and its umbrella Tata Group, will stand by the families of the Ahmedabad crash victims and affected staff even long after the crisis subsides. "We continue to mourn for the lives lost in the AI171 tragedy, and to support those who have been affected. Around 500 colleagues from Air India and 17 other Tata companies remain in Ahmedabad to help the families of passengers, crew and those on the ground. Progress is being made, together with the authorities, on reconciling families with their loved ones, and as of this morning more than 200 have received some degree of solace and closure," he said. Wilson said resounded Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran's words and said that these families are "now Tata families". Additionally, the CEO said that Air India is supporting everyone, including employees who served in Ahmedabad. Upon their return, the staffers are being given a mandatory break along with counselling. "The counselling services, which are confidential and provided by professionals, continue to be available to everyone and I encourage you to avail of it," he stated. 'Won't release aircraft, if any doubt' The Air India Managing Director also assured the public that the company "will not release any aircraft for service" if there is any doubt over its functioning. Wilson also affirmed that Air India's entire fleet of aircraft, especially Boeing 787, remains safe to operate after comprehensive checks. "Have our aircraft been deemed safe? Yes. We have completed the additional precautionary checks on our operating Boeing 787 fleet as requested by the DGCA, who have publicly declared that they meet required standards," he said. ALSO READ | 'Crashed Boeing plane was well maintained, left engine was...': Air India CEO Campbell Wilson He said that the airline has voluntarily decided to continue conducting "additional pre-flight checks" for the time. "Where there is any doubt, we will not release aircraft -- of any type -- for service," Wilson added. What happened on June 12? CEO Campbell Wilson also took the moment to respond to a question he said he has been faced with repeatedly, "What happened?" Noting that there are several theories floating around about the Air India AI171 crash, CEO Wilson said that the accident is "now under official investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, it is not appropriate for us to comment or speculate". "We are providing all information requested by the AAIB and are cooperating completely. It is vital that the facts, whatever they may be, are known so that we and the industry at large can learn from them," he added. He also responded to a query on whether the investigation's report will be available, saying that it is "completely up to the AAIB". Wilson noted that the final report of the probe could take many months, even though AAIB might choose to issue interim updates or reports. "If there is any discovery during the investigation that suggests airlines or suppliers need to change something urgently, we have confidence that such information would be shared quickly. For our part, we will be transparent with what is shared with us," he added. Reduction in Air India flights Air India CEO Campbell Wilson noted that the additional pre-check flights reduce the number of hours its aircraft are available to operate. Additionally, the extra flight time arising due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East region and the closure of Pakistan has prompted the airline to reduce the amount of flying over the coming weeks, he added. ALSO READ | Air India cancels 8 flights, bookings decline by up to 20%, days after Ahmedabad plane crash "We will progressively restore when the time is right," Wilson said. Asked about Air India's future plans, Wilson said that the airline will learn whatever it can from the tragic event so that "we are stronger in future". He assured that Air India's aim in every respect, safety, quality, service, scale, professionalism, reach, or any other dimensions, "remains the same if not higher than before". Ahmedabad plane crash An Air India AI171 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft crashed into the hostel complex of BJ Medical College in the Meghani Nagar of Gujarat's Ahmedabad on June 12. The crash took place just minutes after the flight's takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Except for one, all other 241 passengers aboard the aircraft, including former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, were killed in the terrifying accident. On the ground, 29 persons lost their lives to the plane crash, bringing the total death toll to 270.
The Print
3 hours ago
- The Print
Air India bookings down 20 pc; fares dip up to 15 pc after Dreamliner crash
A London-bound Air India flight, AI-171 carrying 242 passengers and crew members crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12. All but one on board the plane died along with nearly 29 on the ground when the aircraft smashed into a medical complex in Meghaninagar area of the city shortly after takeoff. An Air India spokesperson did not respond to a query seeking comments from the airline. New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) Bookings for Air India flights have declined by around 20 per cent on domestic as well as international routes while the average fares have dropped by 8-15 per cent in the aftermath of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash last week, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) President Ravi Gosain said on Friday. 'Following the unfortunate incident involving Air India, we have observed a temporary decline in bookings, particularly on international sectors. While the exact percentage varies by route, our estimates indicate a dip of around 18–22 per cent on international bookings and a 10–12 per cent decline domestically in the immediate aftermath. However, this appears to be a short-term sentiment-driven reaction, as confidence typically stabilizes over time,' Gosain told PTI. The IATO president shared that there has been a moderate adjustment in fares across key Air India routes. 'On an average, ticket prices have reduced by 8–12 per cent on domestic sectors where the airline competes directly with low cost carriers like IndiGo and Akasa. On international routes, especially to Europe and Southeast Asia, fares have seen a drop of 10–15 per cent, depending on route occupancy and competition. These reductions are mix of promotional strategies and yield correction due to lowered demand,' Gosain said. Asked whether there have been cancellations by travellers for Air India flights booked via tour operators, the IATO president said, 'Yes, we have witnessed a noticeable rise in cancellations, particularly from corporate and high-end leisure travellers who prefer to switch to alternative carriers'. He informed that the increase in cancellations was 15–18 per cent internationally, and 8–10 per cent domestically over the past week. However, this trend may normalize in the coming days as no systemic safety issue has been reported and authorities like DGCA reaffirm Air India's compliance with international safety standards. Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH) General Secretary Rajiv Mehra also shared that an up to 20 per cent decline in bookings has been observed for Air India flights while the fares have turned cheaper by about 10 per cent on certain sectors where there is high competition with other carriers. 'As far as Air India is concerned, fares are around 10 per cent cheaper for both domestic and international routes than other airlines on certain sectors. Besides, there is a 15-20 per cent decline in new bookings for Air India flights on domestic as well as international routes after the crash,' Mehra said. He asserted that all airlines have to pull up their socks as far as aircraft maintenance is concerned, to ensure passengers. PTI RSN IAS CS RSN ANU ANU This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Economic Times
4 hours ago
- Economic Times
Not a single aircraft will fly if it's not 100% safe: Air India CEO promises maximum caution after AI171 crash
In an official communication, Campbell said, "Have our aircraft been deemed safe? Yes. We have completed the additional precautionary checks on our operating Boeing 787 fleet as requested by the DGCA, who have publicly declared that they meet required standards." Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Supporting Families and Staff Responding to Employee Concerns Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Questions About Safety and Future No Change in Future Plans After the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, which killed 241 people, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, the airline's CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson has spoken out to calm an official message shared on Friday, Wilson confirmed that all Air India aircraft, especially Boeing 787s, are safe to fly. 'We have finished extra precautionary checks on our Boeing 787 fleet, and the DGCA has said publicly that our planes meet all required safety standards,' he said. He added that even with clean checks, Air India will continue to do extra pre-flight inspections as a said Air India, along with the Tata Group , remains deeply committed to helping the families of those who lost their lives, as well as affected staff. 'We continue to mourn the loss of lives and are doing everything to support those affected,' he said. Around 500 workers from Air India and other Tata companies are still in Ahmedabad helping the said more than 200 families have received some comfort and closure as efforts continue to identify victims and offer support. 'These families are now Tata families,' he added, promising continued help long after the immediate CEO also addressed comments on social media suggesting that Air India wasn't visible at memorial services for its staff. 'We had senior representatives at every service,' he clarified. 'We've just been careful not to disturb the families during those important moments.'He also said that staff returning from Ahmedabad are being given time off and offered free counselling. 'These services are private and provided by professionals, and I encourage you to use them,' he also responded to common questions raised by staff. While there are many theories about the cause of the crash, he said the airline will not speculate. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is now in charge of finding the the question of whether a report will be shared, Wilson explained that only the AAIB can decide when and how to share updates. But if urgent safety issues are found, those will be shared quickly, and Air India will stay confirmed that due to extra safety checks and longer flight paths caused by airspace closures in the Middle East and Pakistan, the airline has cut down on some flights for now. 'We'll resume them gradually when the time is right,' he the tragedy, Wilson said Air India's future goals remain strong. 'This event is heartbreaking, and we will learn from it. But our vision for safety, service, and professionalism is unchanged, if anything, it's stronger.'He also confirmed that both shareholders continue to fully support Air investigations continue, Wilson ended his message by encouraging staff to stay focused. 'Let's do our jobs with full professionalism, care for our passengers, and support each other, especially now.'Inputs from ANI
